Sonnen to build microgrids in Puerto Rico

German residential energy storage manufacturer Sonnen has launched ‘Puerto Rico Energy Security Initiative’ (PRESI), including the deployment of microgrids, on the island, which has been devastated by Hurricane Maria.

The company has taken up the program to bring energy security to Puerto Rico, where millions of people are currently without power.

The company officials are in regular communication with Pura Energia, its partner in Puerto Rico. Both companies are currently reaching out to existing customers to ensure that they have critical power.

The German company said it will work with Pura to identify emergency relief sites, where Sonnen can provide a stable microgrid. This will include subsidizing the cost of Pura Energia to install the Sonnen unit and the solar array.

After finalizing the plan with Pura, Sonnen will deploy a team of experts to lead the microgrid campaign in Puerto Rico, from system design to installation.

Sonnen is focusing specifically on emergency medical clinics and emergency shelters across Puerto Rico. It also intends to partner with a clean water filtration company to complement its effort at each microgrid.

The German company’s objective is to begin work on the microgrids as soon as possible using its high-quality and tested product so that the first microgrid could begin operations in less than a month.

However, the entire operation depends on establishing a stronger line of communication between Sonnen and Pura Energia.

The company’s manufacturing and engineering facility in Atlanta, Georgia, has been shipping energy storage systems to Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria hit the island.

Sonnen founder and CEO Christoph Ostermann said: “What is happening in Puerto Rico is a tragedy and as fellow human beings, it is our duty to stand firmly with the people of Puerto Rico and do everything possible to help start the rebuilding process. From my perspective, there is a clear connection between our mission to support humanity during a climate disaster and our mission to fight climate change.”